The 18 Most Beautiful Caves in the World

From caves carved in ice to those eroded by the ocean’s waves, these hidden worlds beckon to explorers. While we don’t know exactly how many caves exist on our planet, millions would be a good guess. Whole ecosystems live inside rock and ice, buried beneath the surface, many untouched by man for millennia. Check out these picks for the 18 most beautiful caves in the world and discover their breathtaking scenery and unique features.

Benagil Sea Cave – Portugal

Located on Portugal’s southern coast, the Benagil Sea Cave is a stunning natural feature that includes an enclosed beach and sunlight streaming through a skylight opening in the roof. The best way to visit Benagil Cave is by boat, preferably tour boat, so you can easily visit inside. This cathedral-style cave is a once-in-a-lifetime visit.

Marble Caves – Chile

The unusual and breathtaking rock formations of Chile are calcium carbonate cliffs that have been eroded by water over time. Their unique coloring comes from the water’s reflection on the cave’s marble walls, giving it an otherworldly view. Visiting the Marble Caves is an aquatic adventure – you must take a tour boat or kayak.

The Blue Grotto – Italy

If you’ve ever wanted to take a kayak tour through a crystal clear and vibrant blue cave, here’s your chance. The Blue Grotto is a sea cave in Southern Italy on the island of Capri. sunlight shines through an underwater cavity and reflects upward, creating a blue glow. Visiting the Blue Grotto is a popular tourist attraction in Capri.

Vatnajökull Glacier Ice Cave – Iceland

The ice caves are one of Iceland’s natural wonders. They form during the winter in Vatnajökull’s outlet glaciers and trekkers go exploring for them each year. These caves are considered dangerous due to their enormous icicles and flooding. You must use a professional guide service equipped with proper safety features to visit.

Reed Flute Cave – China

Also known as “the Palace of Natural Arts,” the Reed Flute Cave is a popular attraction in Guangxi, China. This cave was formed from erosion of its soft limestone, creating enormous columns, stalagmites, and stalactites. As another impressive feature of the cave, there are dozens of inscriptions on the cave’s walls dating back as far as 792 AD.

Cave of the Crystals – Mexico

Located in Chihuahua, Mexico, the Giant Crystal Cave consists of a chamber inside a limestone mine that contains enormous crystals big enough to walk across. This cave was filled with groundwater for millions of years, where it has been growing giant-sized crystal formations. Today, the cave is once again filled with water and not hospitable to humans.

Phraya Nakhon Cave – Thailand

The massive Phraya Nakhon Cave is famous for its open ceiling that shines light on an elegant pavilion. To visit this beautiful natural wonder, you must travel to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, take a boat ride to Laem Sala Beach, and hike for 45 minutes until you reach the cave entrance.

Frasassi Caves – Italy

This karst cave system is in Genga, Italy, and is the most popular and one of the largest show caves in the country. It was discovered in 1971 but took more than 150 million years to form. Today, visitors can go on small group tours with knowledgeable guides.

Krubera Cave – Georgia

Located in the Western Caucasus in an occupied region of Georgia, the Krubera Cave is the second-deepest known cave on the planet. The cave system is more than 52,000 feet long and consists of profound, vertical walls. This cave is not for the beginner or the faint of heart. Even its location is in a very remote and rugged part of the mountains.

Son Doong Cave – Vietnam

The Son Doong Cave is one of the largest natural caves on Earth and the biggest in Vietnam. In fact, it is the largest in the world by volume. This popular adventure trek features many formations and an internal subterranean river. Visitors can take guided exploration tours to this newly discovered cave. A man accidentally discovered Song Doong in 1990.

Fingal’s Cave – Scotland

This geometric sea cave sits on an uninhabited island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It’s famous for its size and unique uniformity. The cave also features a natural walkway that leads right inside during low tide. Fingal’s Cave is in one of the most remote places in Scotland, but it’s well worth the visit if you get the opportunity.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River – Philippines

The Philippines features a limestone karst formation that contains an underground river where people can take boat roads through an impressive cave system. Before entering the natural entryway into the cave, visitors paddle around old-growth forests and unique wildlife. If you get special permits, you can also swim in the cave river.

Ajanta Caves – India

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is not a cave in the traditional sense. The Ajanta Caves consist of 29 rock cut-outs of Buddhist cave monuments. These monuments date back to the second century BCE and are an impressive piece of history. The caves feature Buddha sculptures, pillars, and colored paintings.

Caverns of Sonora – United States

The Caverns of Sonora lie in the small city of Sonora, Texas. This National Natural Landmark is a family-friendly destination, where people can take a guided tour and learn about this world-class clave that features stunning calcite crystal formations. The tour lasts just under two hours and descends about 155 feet below the surface.

Valdez Glacier Caves – United States

This 20-mile valley glacier is in the Chugach Mountains, where it ends in Valdez, Alaska. These glacier ice caves offer a unique experience for the adventurer. Visitors can book paddle tours, where they spend several hours paddling around giant glaciers and icebergs before traversing through stunning ice caves.

Mammoth Cave – United States

Mammoth Cave National Park contains the longest cave system in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains remarkable history and biodiversity. Mammoth Cave is in Kentucky and features more than 400 miles of explorable caves. It is also a popular tourist attraction in North America.

Glowworm Caves – New Zealand

The Glowworm Caves of New Zealand‘s North Island are definitely some of the most beautiful caves in the world. Home to a unique glowworm species only found in the country, these caves are truly magical. The worms give the stunning cave a blue glow that resembles the night sky. The caves also contain an underground river system and many stalactite and stalagmite formations.

Carlsbad Caverns – United States

The Carlsbad Caverns are in Eddy County, New Mexico in the Chihuahuan Desert. This national park features more than 100 caves, desert wetlands, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can walk through the enormous limestone chamber, which is 4,000 feet long and 255 feet high. It is the largest chamber cave in North America.

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